OTAGO YACHT ASSOCIATION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19748, 26 March 1926, Page 2

OTAGO YACHT ASSOCIATION.

MEETING OF DELEGATES. A meeting of Che Otago Yacht and Motor Boat Association was held on Wednesday evening. Mr E. A. Davys presided. The majority of the delegates from each club were present. SANDERS CUP CONTEST. "Various minor matters in copnection with the recent Sanders Cup contest were dealt with, and a number of accounts amounting to £B6 in connection theiewith were passed for payment Mr D. Paterson said the arrangements in connection with the contest were equally as good it not better, than those ‘ made tor conducting the contest held in Dunedin in 1922. The Secretary reported that he had received the North-East Harbour Boating Club’s contribution (£ls) to the Sanders Cup contest. QUESTION OF OFFICIALS. Mr F. Percy mentioned the fact that a member’ of the association had been overlooked when officials for the Sanders Cup contest were appointed. He thought it was a stigma on the association that an outsider had been appointed starter and timekeeper, and he had no recollection of a meeting of delegates from the association recommending the appointment of Mr C. George. . Mr J. D. Cameron (secretary) said according to the minutes of the Dominion Conference Mr George was appointed to the position . . Several members expressed the opinion that the association had dealt informally with the matte- of appointing the official. Others were of the opinion that the matter had not been mentioned. The meeting agreed that the appointment of an outsider cast a reflection upon the association starters and timekeepers who had officiated during the trial races at the end of last year. DAMAGE TO LAUNCH WAITIRI. A letter was read from Mr E.,, A. Gibson expressing regret that while his launch Marata was the official boat for the Sanders Cup contest judges, she collided on February 19 with the launch Waitiri, which was anchored in the boat harbour. Some damage resulted, but not to the extent stated by the Waitiri’s owners, Messrs Kelly Bros, and company. Mr Gibson asked the association to inquire into the matter with a view to coming to an agreement. The vners of the launch Waitiri waited on the association in connection with the damage done to the boat through being struck by the Marata at the boat harbour on the morning of the first Sanders Cup race. Mr P. Kelly stated that his launch had suffered considerable damage and the owner of Marata was holding the association responsible for the_ cost . of repairs. They had been kept waiting for a decision tor a month, and could get no satisfaction one way or the other. Mr J. M'Pherson (boat builder) was thereupon communicated with by telephone. He informed the secretary that the damage to the Waitiri was very slight. • Mr B. A. Davys said that the Marata was an rfficial boat , for the Sanders Cup races, but the association could not be held legally responsible for the damage done. The association, however, was prepared to vote £5 towards the cost of repairs through Mr E. A. Gibson. Mr Kelly said he was trying to find out who was actually responsible for the damage. Mr Percy said there was no doubt who was responsible. The launch Marata had caused the damage, and her owner was the only one responsible. Mr Kelly and his companions said they would have to communicate with Mr Gibson in regard to the association’s offer, and the deputation retired with an assurance from the association that the matter would bo satisfactorily settled. OLIPHANT OUP RACE. Mr Davys said he did not approve of the "Ravcnsbourne Club sailing the Oliphant Cup race in conjunction with, the local challenge cup race. He had witnessed the recent race, and Had no hesitation in saying that the 14-footers did not get a fair run because they were blanketed by other competitors at certain stages of the race. Kla Ora had suffered in this respect, and but for this he believed she would have won the Oliphant Cup. He was of the opinion if a resident was generous enough to give a cup for competition, then that resident should at least be given the satisfaction of seeing the trophy raced for in one separate race.Mr E. T. Moller said that the Ravensbourne Club’s racing dates had been upset through the Sanders Cup contest, and the club could claim a little leniency accordingly. He was, however, of the opinion that the Oliphant Cup race should be sailed as a separate, race. It was decided to write to the Ravensbourne Club pointing out that it was not in keeping with the spirit of the conditions governing the Oliphant Cup when it was not sailed for as a separate race. GENERAL. A letter was received from the secretary of the Takapuna Boating Club (Auckland) thanking the association for the kindness shown to the Auckland boys who sailed in the Cornwell Cup contest.